I exited my temporary recluse;
Onwards, to my home!
Where I did belong, not where I felt I belonged.

Oh, Dame Eventide, I address you directly -
How much longer must you keep me
In this unquenchable desire for stability?

I fortified myself with what I considered
Love, passion, perseverance and aim,
With who I considered my partner in it all.

In a single stroke, you've stolen it all from me
You cast your dazzling shroud around me
But unsatisfied, you projected it within me, too.

I escaped from the Darkness
Only to find it seeping back in from the cracks,
While it tapped nails sneakily on the walls of brittle conscience.

You've awakened memories put to sleep,
Caused rifts between my mind and heart,
My aims and desires.

Terrified as I am of your prowess,
It fascinates me - pray tell me,
How did you ever manage to accomplish it?

I may create a million trifles,
Write a thousand volume guide on the subject of distraction
And yet you'd manage to sink in your claws of reality.

I'd wrap my pain with indifference
And you'd rip it apart and force me
To acknowledge its bleeding existence.

Oh, Lady Midnight, all this while, I was of the assumption
That I must flee you to rid myself of your presence
But all I had to do was court you.

And so I would and then, at last,
You'd grow tired of me
Like my previous lovers.

Don't worry, this one is here to stay,
I won't let you wrench them from my grasp
But I thank you, you taught me something invaluable.

Come! I entreat you;
My arms are wide open,
So do not shy away, now.

Are those tears of triumph
That caress my skin?
Make it rain harder then.

Or are they of fear?
Then I'd advise you to cease those waterworks
For you have nothing to be afraid of.

I've come to terms with my demons
And we'll be drawing up a contract to negotiate them;
We could do the same.

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maits³⁴²

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